Cookery school reaches out to youths in prison

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Francois Ferreira Academy, a cookery school based in George, carried out training with the juvenile inmates in Mossel Bay from 19 to 28 May.

The inmates were interviewed to assess their suitability for doing the course, and 16 who were due for release this year, were chosen to attend classes.

During the course, they were required to draw up a business plan, and were then given 30 minutes each to present it to a panel of judges. Due to the restricted use of computers to do research for their project, the FFA provided them with books and magazines.

Marcia Holm, who was previously with Mossel Bay Tourism, and who now assists the Francois Ferreira Academy on a part-time basis, was the lecturer for the course, and Candice Visagie, who is responsible for Education and Training at Mossel Bay Youth Centre, arranged for the inmates to be available for the training.

The panel of judges were unanimous in their choice of the three winners, who were announced at the certificate ceremony held on 20 August.

Dr Paul Kruger, the Chairman of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber, handed out the certificates to the participants and the three winners, who were Brandon Harker for his business "Brooches That Speak To You", Brendon Vontade for his "Spaza Shop" and Dyllon Blauw's "The Crop Experts".

A proud moment as juvenile inmates receive their certificates for undergoing training by the Francois Ferreira Academy.